Abstract:
The application of telecommunications technology to support rehabilitation of people with disabilities is a valuable and cost effective mechanism for extending clinical expertise and support into the home and community. Using inexpensive and readily available technology, a variety of “telerahab” applications have been demonstrated and preliminary studies point to their utility. It is possible to link an individual’s home to a service provider over ISDN phone lines to provided a variety of supports including: videoconferencing between the survivor, family, and clinical specialists; assistance with scheduling and prompting of daily activities; documentation of activity completion; remote safety monitoring of the home; and computer-based cognitive retraining. Year 1 will be devoted to developing a prototype system, year 2 to conducting preliminary efficacy studies with a controlled clinical trial initiated at the end of year 2